Exodus — Book front (modern spelling)

The Argument of the Book of Exodus

Moyses having prosecuted in Genesis, the sacred history of the Church,¹ unto Joseph's death,² containing the space of 2310. years, continueth the same in Exodus,³ for 145. years more. Where he first briefly recounteth, how a small number of Israelites,⁴ especially after the death of Joseph, being much increased, a new King (risen in the mean time, who knew not Joseph) together with other Egyptians, envying their better parts, both of body and mind, and more fortunate progress in wealth; fearing also lest they still multiplying, either by their own forces, or joining with other foreigners, might spoil Egypt, and return into Chanaan; and hating their Religion, because they acknowledged, one only, eternal, omnipotent God, denying and detesting the new imaginary gods of the Egyptians; resolved and publicly decreed, by oppression to hinder their increasing,⁵ & to keep them in bondage and servitude. But God almighty, who had chosen them for his peculiar people, did not only so conserve and multiply them; that of seventy persons,⁶ which came into Egypt, in the space of two hundred and fifteen years, there were six hundred thousand men,⁷ able to bear arms,⁸ besides women, children, and old men, which by estimation might be three millions in all, but amongst other most strange and miraculous works, especially delivered one Hebrew infant from drowning.⁹ Whom afterwards he made the Guide, and supreme Governour of¹⁰ the same people; by him admonished the King to¹¹ cease persecuting,¹² and divers ways plagued him ¹³& his people. for their obdurate and obstinate cruelty. In fine called away,¹⁴ and mightily delivered his own people,¹⁵ drowned their King and all his army, in the redsea,¹⁶ the Israelites wonderfully passing through, as in a dry channel, the waters standing on both sides, like two walls. In the desert, fed them miraculously with¹⁷ Manna,¹⁸ and gave them all necessaries,¹⁹ defending them also from enemies. Then God, having thus selected and severed his people from all other nations, gave them a written law,²⁰ as well of Moral, as Ceremonial and Judicial precepts²¹, with the manner of making the Tabernacle,²² erecting Altars,²³ consecrating Priests,²⁴ with the institution of daily Sacrifice, and of all vestures, vessels, & other holy things belonging to the service of God. So this book may be divided into three parts. First is declared the Israelites servile affliction in Egypt, with their delivery from thence: in the fifteen first chapters. Then how they were maintained in the desert, and prepared to receive a law: in the four next chapters. In the other 21. chapters, the law is prescribed, instructing them how to live towards God, and all men.